I absolutely LOVE clothes, but you wouldn’t know it by my usual 24/7 attire around here. I’m lucky most days if I change out of my workout clothes. NO, I don’t stay in them AFTER I workout. I stay in them before I even attempt (or even make it TO) working out! ha! I know, bad bad! What Not To Wear would have a field day with me!

I don’t know if I’ve had my head in the sand or what, but I recently discovered Emerson Made. SOOO right up my alley! It has that preppy, slightly sexy, school girlish, but casual vibe I really like.

{this whole outfit MUST make it into my closet!}

{can’t you just hear her saying, “Of course I vacation in the Hamptons! Don’t you?”}

I sort of skipped what was suppose to be a monthly post of my favorite things last month (June). This month has been so filled up with summer get togethers, trips out of town and whatnot that…well…I’m just getting to it now. But here it is! My July favorite things!

1. San PellegrinoAranciata

Found these on a trip to Costco just before Summer really got going. They’re yummy, look oh so cute sitting in a tub of ice during a bbq, and they’re a nice alternative to soda. BIG, big fan of these!

2. Santa Barbara Design Umbrellas

I want all of them, every color, every style…I LOVE THEM! They aren’t cheap, but man are they a lot of style for your patio. A simple outdoor set would become WOW with one of these over it!

3. Rikshaw Designs

I first learned about Rikshaw Designs from Alex over at the Rustic Rooster blog. I was hooked…instantly! Catherine Fitzsimmons designs are right up my alley, bohemian, colorful, casual and beachy. It’s no secret (well maybe it was on here!) that the other half and I are all for having another baby right now. Guess what I’m putting in the baby’s room? Yeah, you guess it…this stuff! But until then I am happily living in my cute kurtas…I just ordered two!

I finally started using my cute Felix Doolittle return address labels this past month. I can’t believe I had forgotten about them! As per my usual, I got them, left them in a drawer I never hardly open and thus forgot about. Our address labels feature a cute black labrador chewing on a ball…VERY our dog Zipper! Ball crazy doesn’t even begin to explain how in love with tennis balls our creature is. She’s insane.

In any case, the artwork is absolutely stunning! Each drawing is so good you wish you had a full sized version to put on your wall. They really are that spectacular. I used them on a few thank you notes I sent out this past month and people actually called and/or emailed me to ask where I had gotten my labels! Seriously.

I also picked up bookplates for my little one featuring a monkey holding onto a LARGE baby bottle of milk. We called Ellie “milk monkey” when she was born because she was such an avid eater. That girl loved her milk!

via Martha Stewart

5. Grilled Steak and Summer Vegetable Salad- From Everyday Food

I’ve subscribed to Everyday Food since day 1 of the publication. It is my go to for quick, delicious, easy food. The mag really is a life saver. They come up with week long menus which include a whole shopping list with everything you will need to make the food. Very convenient! This past month featured this meal which I thought may be a little ho-hum. But we’ve been trying to eat light around here lately and this fit the bill. I will tell you…HO-HUM it is NOT! I’m a big fan of all sorts of veggies, so getting me to eat them is not normally an issue. The hubby however…can be a bit picky. He’s not super into squash, zucchini or eggplant. This dish had all three..BUT HE ATE IT!!!!! AND, he loved it! It also looks super pretty when you plate all the veggies and steak together. It’s a really nice presentation.

Grilled Steak and Summer Vegetable Salad

Serves 4

Time: 45 minutes

Try grilled bruschetta with this supper: Brush thick slices of crusty bread with olive oil, then grill until toasted on both sides. Flank steak can be used in place of hanger.

1. Heat a grill to medium-high. Clean and lightly oil hot grill. In a small oven proof pot combine oil, rosemary, and garlic and place on grill. Cook until oil begins to bubble, 2 minutes. Remove herb oil from heat and set aside 3 tablespoons in a small bowl.

2. Brush steak with herb oil, season with salt and pepper, and grill, turning occasionally, about 10 minutes per side for medium-rare (move steak to a cooler part of grill if it begins to over brown). Transfer to a cutting board and tent with foil. Let rest 10 minutes before slicing thinly against the grain.

3. In batches, brush vegetables with herb oil, season with salt and pepper, and grill, turning occasionally, until tomato skins are split and vegetables are tender, 3 to 5 minutes total. Transfer to a serving platter, along with sliced steak. Add vinegar and honey to reserved oil and whisk together. Season to taste with salt and pepper, then drizzle dressing over steak and vegetables.

I discovered Ray Turner when I was about 18 years old in a downtown Fullerton art gallery (which has since moved locations), Sarah Bain Gallery. I was immediately hooked on Turner’s style. The exhibition was on a series of chefs in a kitchen. They were stunning…and NOT expensive at the time. Now of course paintings that were once in the hundreds are in the tens of thousands. No, I won’t be acquiring one soon. sad. But I recently decided to check out some of his new works and as usual I was not disappointed. One day..maybe…I’ll get one of those chef paintings.

Last week we stayed quite busy with birthdays, fun field trips, concert in the park, surf contest, date night with hubby and World Cup finals (so sad Netherlands). Here are some photos from our fun week!

I’m smiling but inside I’m thinking, “I am going to have to do A TON of working out tomorrow to get this off my thighs!”.

Birthday dinner (actual day of) at Taco Surf Sunset Beach

Friday night we headed to our local park for the summer concert in the park series. The concert is always fun, but a bit hectic getting all packed up and set up on time for the event. Of course I went and made homemade Roasted Potato Leek soup and Tarragon Chicken Salad sandwiches just hours before. So, I made the whole thing harder on myself of course. And wouldn’t you know it..Ellie wanted NOTHING to do with dinner and ended up stealing a friends’ cotton candy instead.

On Saturday Reed lined up a nice date night dinner up in Hollywood at a fabulous Argentinian restaurant. Probably some of the best steak I’ve ever had. If you live in the Los Angeles area you must try Carlitos Gartel.

Since we don’t go out fancy that often I splurged on a new outfit for the occasion. My shoes were MUCH trendier than I usually go for. Actually the fact that they were heels was a break from my usual buy of sandals and flats.

Date Night Outfit:

Dress: Linne’s Boutique Seal Beach

Belt: Linne’s Boutique Seal Beach

Earrings: Banana Republic

Bracelets: J. Crew

Ring: Adina

Shoes: Mea Shadow

Sunday we watched our Dutch team go down in flames. Since I am now a Dutch girl by married last name I was sort of obligated to root for Orange. But to be honest, I was also secretly rooting for Espana! So it was a win win situation.

Hope you had a fabulous fun filled weekend too! Any day now Southern California MIGHT get Summer weather. It rained on our date night Saturday….go figure.

I spoke with a girlfriend earlier today about how our wardrobes have changed since having kids. No, its not because our bodies have changed and we can’t fit in to the same kinds of clothes we use to. Actually I personally haven’t had a problem with that..THANK GOD! The problem is I don’t get out much. Haha! No really, I DON’T GET OUT MUCH! I’ve actually gone a full stinkin’ week in the past before I even left the house. Not a proud moment.

But as mommies we sort of all develop our own personal mommy style. Someone else might have their uniform they always wear, but when you see them you think, “Wow, look how put together she is…I wish I could dress like that”. Well, little do we know, but that chick who’s outfit you love has probably worn it twice already this week and wore it last week too. Doesn’t matter…you still envy her style.

Well, my good girlfriend complemented me on my style and how I still “have it”. What a super awesome compliment I think! So here I’m going to share the top 10 things I love for me now that I’m a mom and a stay at home one at that. And yes, I wear the same outfit twice in one week…sometimes even three times.

1)True Religion Stella Skinny Jean in dark blue washLOVE LOVE LOVE these jeans! I never in a million years thought I would love skinny jeans, but I do. I’ve tried to buy other brands of skinny jeans and I can’t do it. There is something about this cut that just flatters a girl with some thigh meat. And TR jeans have a wide seam on the outer sides that really thin the leg out more. Totally flattering! Wear them in warm weather with flip flops or ballet flats and in the winter with flat boots. For a night out I just throw on my platform pumps and I’m good to go.

I scored these sweeties on Rue La La a few years ago for way under $100. I think they were like $69. Anywho, I had no idea the love affair I would develop with Cole Haan shoes, especially their Air collection ones. They feel like tennis shoes, but in no way look like them. I bought these in the metallic so I could wear them with everything and I do….everything! Need an invitation to Rue La La?…get it HERE!

I’m really not sure how I could live without this baby. After a quick blow dry I just quickly use this iron to smooth out my already straight hair. It gives a nice shine and gets rid of any frizzy hairs. My hair stylist uses it and said it was much better than much more expensive ones on the market. I’m so glad…I was not ready to shell out big bucks for Chi iron!

I originally saw this watch on the Cupcakes and Cashmere blog in 2008 and HAD to have it. My sweet hubby gave it to me as a Christmas gift that same year. It reminds me of my grandpa’s big gold watch when I was a kid. I love big watches and always have. It makes me feel dainty.

Best concealer e-v-e-r. Seriously. Its super creamy, which is great for my now dry mommy skinand it won’t show all those lovely little lines around my tired eyes. It hides those, “I should not have stayed up that late watching Real Housewives when my child gets up at 6am”, bags under my eyes.

Adina is a friend of a friend and I was lucky to meet her quite a few years ago when she was still working a full time ad job and doing jewelry on the side. Wonder where the circle on a chain trend started? Adina that’s where. It was her hammered circle on a delicate chain that everyone else copied. Now it’s all over the place in every price point possible. Although I will admit I wear her necklaces almost as much as this ring, I truely love how simple and classy this ring is. It goes with everything and looks even better with a little age on it now.

I LIVE in these t-shirts from Target! I found them about a year ago at my local store and they were perfect. I get them a little bigger so it gives me that in style slightly baggy, but still fitted look. The v of the neck is a little deep which I like to show a teensie bit of cleavage if I want to. You can dress it up, dress it down, throw on a cute cardigan or a blazer over it, whatevs! Oh and it’s 8 dollars!!! You can not beat that!

V-neck Tee by Mossimo $8 at Target stores

8) Long Cardigans (preferably in cashmere!)

I found a great cashmere cardigan two Christmas seasons ago at the Gap. They are still by far my most prized cardigans (I got two..one ivory and one black). I wear them with EVERYTHING…dresses, jeans, dressed up, dressed down, etc. I’ve also scored some cute colorful ones at Forever 21 that are still going strong. My hands down favorites are probably at J.Crew however. I just wait until they have a big ol’ sale and then I STRIKE!

Oh how I love flip flops…sandals…whatever you call them. I have dressier ones to wear with a cute silk sundress in the summer or with just jeans and a dressy top. V strap, t strap, around the ankle strap, all different kinds of sandals….I LOVE THEM! I don’t know why, but if I wear socks and shoes I get hot. My feet are my temperature regulators. I’m weird, I know. I’m not picky about wear I buy them either. I just don’t like super cheap ones usually because they fall apart or I get weird ouch spots where they rub wrong. Some favs:

These little sweeties are from J.Crew. I love a good metallic sandal. Perfect for a slightly dressier look in the warmer months.

Give me 15 minutes and I can quickly do my makeup now and either to a cute hair down with my bangs twisted a pinned to the side look. Or a headband with a messy pony or just a headband. These guys are my saving grace for getting out of the house in the morningafternoon and looking presentable. Doing my hair everyday is a chore now that my little one wants to be under foot while I try and get ready. I’m usually spending my getting ready time attempting to keep Ellie out of my lipstick and from spraying hair spray in her eyes.

One of my husbands’ childhood friends finally popped the question to his lovely girlfriend a few months ago. We were and weren’t expecting it…but we’re so glad it did! Since the grooms’ family has a home in Sayulita, Mexico we were pretty sure they might decide to get married there. Well, the word came down and YIPPIE…they are set to be married in Mexico sometime next Fall.

Just recently I got an email from one of my fav designers Christiane Celle of Calypso with their new 2010 goodies. Pretty, pretty, pretty!!! I am such a sucker for yummy sorbet colors, bohemian prints and lots of girly details. I’m going to be good and wait for a sale.

Too cute for walking around the village during the day. Bikini underneath a must!

Throw on flip flops and have a romantic dinner with the hubby.

PERFECT beach cover up!

This would be so pretty for the wedding with lots of gold jewelry! AND only $99 right now on sale!